They wouldn’t name names, but developers are telling city officials that several billionaires are behind a $9.5 billion proposal to reshape 85 downtown acres into a development including a sports arena.
The Las Vegas City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved measures to let developer REI Group continue trying to acquire the land needed for a 22,000-seat arena, plus hotel, condominiums, casino and retail space toward
“This is a very quiet group. They’re not anxious to broadcast who they are on television,” Jon Weaver, an REI Group principal, said following the vote. He said he would privately identify project backers for Mayor Oscar Goodman.

One of the more attractive unrestricted free agents in the game, Anaheim Ducks’ goaltender J.S. Giguere, is set to go off the market later today.
Sources indicate that the Ducks have signed Giguere to a multi-year contract, guaranteeing that he will stay with the NHL team that he led to the Stanley Cup earlier in July.
GM Brian Burke told Giguere earlier this season of the negotiations: Make it as tough on me as possible. Giguere did just that – and now he’s being rewarded.

The Anaheim Ducks have announced the signing of goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere to a reported four year, $24 million contract extension.
“J.S. Giguere has been an instrumental part of this franchise for the last six years,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke said in a statement. “We view him as one of the top goaltenders in the NHL today, one with tremendous character and competitive fire, traits we value greatly in this organization.”

The Carolina Hurricanes aren’t looking for a quick fix in the NHL draft. Good thing, too. With the 11th pick, they probably wouldn’t find one.
Instead, the Hurricanes _ who have been busy re-signing several potential free agents to multiyear contracts _ are looking to restock their organization with prospects during the two-day draft that begins Friday in Columbus, Ohio.
“There’s not going to be many players out of this draft that are going to step right in and play, which is not a bad thing _ (it) gives them more time to develop,” general manager Jim Rutherford said Thursday. “But you really don’t know. It’s more of a first round once you get past (picks) five and six where a lot of the players are equal in talent at this point…

Think of what the Philadelphia Flyers did this week as getting in on the ground floor of a hot IPO.
With cap room and draft picks to spare after the worst season in franchise history, the Flyers were able to parlay their situation into a major trade, getting two desirable pending free agents and then signing them to long-term contracts before they hit what is expected to be a busy open market.

Rankin Inlet has been abuzz this week with sightings of a celebrity couple — hometown hockey hero Jordin Tootoo and his girlfriend, American Idol finalist Kellie Pickler.
The NHL player has been dating the country singer since January and has brought her home to Nunavut to meet his family.
Most of Pickler’s northern time has been spent at the Tootoo cabin, far from noisy gadgets and her condo in Nashville.
“[There’s] no cellphone service here, so that’s a big plus. No one probably knows what a cellphone is here, do they?” she joked in a CBC interview.

In the days leading up to the July 1 opening of the NHL’s free-agent market, clubs will be working frantically to re-sign key personnel.
The Stanley Cup champion Ducks, for one, will do whatever it takes to keep franchise stopper Jean-Sebastien Giguere on the Pond. While nothing is certain, figure Anaheim GM Brian Burke to get his man.
But while Giguere might not hit the market, more than 100 players will. Here are five guys who will get, and deserve, a lot of attention:

Sources tell TSN that the Florida Panthers and Nathan Horton have agreed to terms on a six-year, $24-million contract.
The 22-year old Horton enjoyed a breakout season last year with 31 goals, 31 assists and a +15 rating while playing in all 82 games.

Patrick Kane is the top-rated prospect for the NHL entry draft, but Vancouver Canucks chief amateur scout Ron Delorme doesn’t see the diminutive OHL sniper as a slam-dunk selection.
“This year’s draft for sure lacks a consensus top pick,” said Delorme. “There’s nobody close to playing in the NHL and James VanRiemsdyk might be the only one because he’s a big kid. But he’s not pro ready and needs a couple of years.
“But I still believe there’s enough depth in this draft to find some quality prospects.”

Tomorrow night in Columbus, the Maple Leafs will acquire a player who will, possibly, join their roster by the 2009-2010 season.
In 10-12 days, however, Leaf fans are sure hoping the club will announce the acquisition of a significant player – or maybe two – that will have a defining impact on the team starting in October.
There’s no question this is John Ferguson’s biggest off-season as GM, one in which he doesn’t have to sign a bagful of unrestricted free agents on July 1st, but one in which he must, through his decisions and player moves, articulate a bold vision for this team beyond waiting for Jiri Tlusty and Justin Pogge to develop.

This weekend could go a long way toward determining the Panthers’ future, particularly in goal, where coach and GM Jacques Martin is expected to pursue a handful of options. One that hasn’t gotten on the radar as yet deserves mention.
Anaheim figures to be in excellent position to defend its first Stanley Cup next season, as long as it can retain its key players. But recent rumors have had Scott Niedermayer mulling retirement; if that happens, it would leave a significant hole in the Ducks’ defense.
Anaheim GM Brian Burke has likely asked Niedermayer for a decision by this weekend so he can address that potential need. And he may find a trading partner in Martin.

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